Hi all. I’m looking to put in a order for a yellow cooper s. I have yet to test drive one due to my schedule but I’m looking to do that in the upcoming weekend. In the mean time I have some questions

1) OEM alarm – the website says its “ultrasonic”, does that mean it has a motion detector like aftermarket alarms such as DEI’s motion sensor units? I assume it has the typical motor-kill like aftermarket units, right?

2) Hood strips – if these are installed by the dealer, are they covered under the bumper-to-bumper warranty should anything happen to them?

3) Clear bra – I see on the website there is a clear film protection similar to the clear bras. Are those covered under the warranty?

4) Convenience package – the website says it comes with Bluetooth/ipod connect. Is it a real ipod connection or just aux-in? and what is “Comfort” Bluetooth?

5) Gas cap – from the pictures, it looks like it just screws in. does it lock? If not, what’s stopping any one from siphoning out the gas at night?


6)Accessories – Should I order these with the car, or can better deals be found elsewhere online. I’m looking at the spoiler (the JCW or the other one from the website) and the OEM alarm.

7) Run-flats or All-Season tires - which should i get?



Thanks much

 

Don't know about alarms. The S comes with runflat tires, period. I think the stripes/bra is covered under warranty even though the dealer may farm out the actual work. You have to ask. most accesories can be bought cheaper elsewhere, Morristown Mini is popular (NJ). The exterior gascap locks when you lock the car, the filler cap inside doesn't lock. The conv/iPod package has a usb and an aux-in connection. Ask for a wire for your iPod and you can control it from the stereo/steering wheel. some dealers charge you up to $100 for the connector, and you can't get them elsewhere. I don't know what comfort BT is.

 

Well, I don't have much input but I can answer two of them:

5) Gas cap - it locks. Or at least the chrome cover does.
7) The All-Season tires are also runflats. I got All-Seasons and they are runflats.

 

Welcome to the MINIverse, and WISE choice!

1.) Not sure exactly what they mean by "ultrasonic" but the factory alarm DOES have motion detector - for both inside the vehicle and outside. It activates if someone tries to lift the car (to try and tip it over, or to tow it.)

2.) Stripes - yup, as far as I know...

3.) Can't answer about the clear bra - just wait, someone'll be by soon to answer!

4.) Not sure about the comfort package, either.

5.) Gas cap locks on (you hear the extra click) and when the car is locked, the gas cap locks. What you see in the pics is actually a cover for the gas cap.

6.) I got the factory spoiler & factory alarm, and I was pretty happy with that. If you're a "mad modder" you might want to look into other options for the spoiler at least.

7.) I got run-flats, and, although it can get a little rough in a really pot-holey area, the run flats saved my butt on the autobahn! I'd get them again.

Happy hunting!

 

the bluetooth usb ipod integration is a USB and Aux to iPod connection cable that you plug in by the gear stick and into the iPod. The iPod/iPhone can then be controlled through the cars radio. It shows you all the artist names, albums, playlists everything. Works well. I have it. It is great.

 

so is that like a mercury switch or a typical motion sensor? if somebody was snooping around the windows, will it set off a warning like the aftermarket units?

 

so its an usb port and requires a separate cable?

 

I'm guessing a typical sensor - the dogs moving around inside the car (when I forget and set the alarm) will set it off. There's a fuel kill-switch included, too. No one snooping around the windows sets it off -- I often have to wipe the windows due to the forehead-nose-hand prints from people looking into the car.

 

yes, down by the gear stick there is a USB port and an AUX port. The Convenience Package includes the cable that you need. It is about 8 inches long (my ipod sits in the cup holder). I'll grab you a picture if you like.

 

There is the USB/AUX jack, and the cable/iPod just plugs right in. You control it through the radio in the car.

 

ah i see. so the ipod plus in both ports? does it charge the ipod as well?



The multi function wheel, what exactly does that control? Radio settings and cruise control? My wife’s murano has it and I hardly ever use it. Does it serve any other functions?

thanks

 

yes it charges the iPod as well. The left side of the MFSW controls volume (up/down) and songs/radio presets (previous/next). The right side is your cruise control.

 

The AUX is where the sound is input. All MINIs get an AUX. Without the Bluetooth/iPod option you can connect an iPod with a $10 cable available from Amazon, or a $50 cradle that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket and charges the iPod. All control of the iPod must be done with the iPod itself.

With the Bluetooth/iPod option you connect the iPod to both the AUX and USB with the provided cable. The USB part of the connection allows you to go to the next or previous track with the Multi-function Steering Wheel (MSWF) and will show track names on the radio readout.

If you have the NAV connection the USB will give you a display of track titles, and you can navigate through them with the joystick, or MSWF.

 

Well all the other ones are answered. I just got the 3M clear bra put on mine when it came in and you can barely tell it is even on the car. It does come with a 5 year warranty from the installer for chipping, peeling, yellowing, and bubbles. Well worth the piece of mind knowing rocks won't be a huge issue.

 

I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet, but the "Comfort" option moves the connection to a center armrest. And if you have a smart phone you can hook it up there and gain access to an external antenna for a better phone signal.

I'm adding that option to mine when I order.

 

The website shows that the USB/iPod connection is in the glovebox (or secret compartment, can't tell). Is that not the case?

 

which parts are covered? i see on the miniusa.com site that there is a piece for top and bottom, then there's another for fog lights. how much did you pay and whats covered on your car?

thanks

 

In order to connect a phone to the armrest charger you have to buy a snapin sleeve for your particular phone (not many phones are supported, check first on the Nav/Stereo forum). The sleeves cost about $140. You can't connect an iPod, just an iPhone.

It's not in the secret compartment. The website is wrong. To do that you have to buy an iPod integration cable and have it installed my the dealer. That'll cost you maybe $600. Connecting to the stereo as seen in the pix here is free if you have the USB/comfort package.

 

All season tires are also runflats. They will all run flat 50mph. not 49 or 51mph but a flat 50 mph.
The gas cap is deceiving. No one can siphon gas from a MINI even if it became $10/gal.

 

Try one out at the dealer before you buy it. Many of us don't like it. I think it depends on your height. I'm 6' and it got in my way for shifting. It would have been OK if it folded back farther, but it doesn't. Also, the sliding lid often doesn't stay closed. I ended up ripping mine out.

In 2007 the armrest came with the Bluetooth. Otherwise, I wouldn't have ordered it.

 

Unfortunately my dealer doesn't have any models left, let alone one with a center armrest. I'm 6'2", and the one I did test drive felt like it was missing something without the armrest. But since I haven't been in one with an armrest I'm not sure what to compare it to...

How hard was it to rip it out?

 

The MCS we test drove had the arm rest. I'm 6'2" and my wife is 5'4". I kept hitting my arm on the arm rest - it was just in the way for me. She thought we might order with the arm rest for extra storage - that is - until we saw how little storage there was. No arm rest for us...

 

Theres an OEM aftermarket armrest that has more storage space and a lid that opens upward (instead of slides back). I don't have the link handy but one could order without an armrest and add later if desired. It's pretty easy to install I think, just a couple of bolts.

 

Euro Armrest is great; got mine from here and for $30 less, you can get it from here.

Very sturdy mounting, ten minute install with a T-40 Torx to remove inner aft seat rail bolts and loosen front bolts.
Slip the mounts under the rails and rebolt.

MINI Logo on front latch button and size is 12"x4.5"x4.5" the Standard MINI matching gray leatherette padded top
can be easily covered w/ leather of your choice (as seen on Minspeed site).